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Why Music?

Why
not… I
have been reading some articles on Neil Young recently and listening
to the 1973 recording, warts and all, that has become his latest
release. The irascible Young holds a theory that digital reproduction
loses a lot of the sound quality of vinyl/analogue – and this
damages our brains, although why Neil Young would still worry about
that is a mystery to me….

Why
Music?
Do we need live performance any more, now that the machines can do it
all? Technically, the rot set in in 1877, when Thomas Alva Edison
invented the phonograph, initially, one would assume, as a means of
making money, but later on as a means of reproducing music as it
sounded in live performance. Neil’s live performance incorporates the
mistakes, clams and glitches for which he is famous – as a part of
his artistic expression. It grows on you.

Avid readers, all three of them, may now be wondering quite what this has to do with a Jam Session. Each week, we produce, live, some truly awful renditions of tunes which deserved better. This last week was no exception – except that the 27 musicians who fronted had a great time in general. This is currently one of the larger live, unrehearsed and impromptu musical gatherings in Melbourne, and if we are not careful, will continue to attract a uncritical audience.

Soloists: So rare are the brassisti that we have given up advertising for trumpeters – and of course two turned up – Satou from Japan and Guy (I think) from somewhere else. On top of which, the usual complement of saxes, plus Jeff on clarinet and soprano sax. And Sir Roger De Coverley, buckler of swashes and Bounder about Town, who mercifully left his horse, if he had one, outside.

Guy, Satou and Laurie: don’t look so serious chaps!

Singers
were a bit thin on the ground- Kay with her usual collection of Bossa
modified standards, Yuko singing up a storm, teenage gardener Miss
Annabelle Smythe, reeking of Lobelia roots, but otherwise in fine
voice. And Kevin the cap, for good measure.

Kevin the Cap

Drummers included Mike Findlay, Alan Richards, Steve Bray, Russell, and on a flying visit from Tasmania’s Big Ho, Nigel Legge (washboard ace, but this time on drums)

Guitarists:
Octo as good as ever, newcomer Roy held his own, and Harry from
Queensland got up eventually and could play more than a bit. All
sweet.

Bass:
Dave
NN has taken to misbehaving, by playing rather well when you least
expect it, and was the pick of them for once.. Another fine innings
from Piers, Anton from Glasshouse days, and Roy’s offsider who was
(a) better looking than Roy and (b) rather good.

Piano:
Early contribution from Mr Curtis, played beautifully for Yuko,
Malcolm and one other (name?) at the end.

All of which made for a middling musical medley, a goodly audience, and notably quite a few family groups amongst them. The Arvo was wrapped up with a fine (hah!) rendition of Minnie theMoocher, which proved an inspired choice.